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(No Model.) 2 Shet sTSheet 1. A. G. HOLGOMBE. ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM. FDR HOTELS.

Patented Feb. 23, 1886.

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(No Model.) 2 S-heets-Sheet 2. A. G. HOL-GOMBE.

ELEGTRIGAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM FOR HOTEES. No. 336,809. Patented Feb. 23, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. HOLCOMBE, OF NE\V YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE EQUITABLE ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. I

ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATING SYSTEM FOR HOTELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,809, dated February 23, 1886.

Application filed August 15, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, ALFRED G. HOLCOMBE, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York. county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Communicating Systems for Hotels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to facilitate the service of hotels, 820., by providing each room or apartment with a call and communicating apparatus placed in electrical connection with an ordinary annunciator, and a 'lnessage-indicator located at the office or a central point, whereby the occupants of the rooms or apartments may make known their wants directly at the office without having to wait for the attendance of an employ to receive their messages, as under the call systems now in vogue. in devising an electrical system adapted to perform these functions simplicity in the construction of the instruments and in the arrangement of the connecting-lines has been kept in view, and also the non-interference between the various communicators, should two or more be called into requisition at the same time. The communicators are each provided with a pointer adapted to be set opposite any one of a number of calls or messages marked thereon, and they are all in connection with the message indicator by means of separate lines, including their respective corresponding number-actuating device of the annunciator, and one main line from the battery is connected to all of the communicators. The circuit-lines used by me are similar to those of an ordinary annunciator system, my communicators being substituted for the push buttons or circuit-closing devices located in the various rooms; and the message-indicator at the olfice is included in the individual circuits between the annunciator and the call-bell, said call-bell circuit taking in a part of the battery to the main line, and anotherline from the indicator, which includes its electro-magnetic-actuating devices, takes in the whole of the battery to the main line.

The part of the battery in the call-bell circuit supplies only sufficient current to actuate the call-bell and the annunciator when any of the Serial No. 174,462. No moth-l.)

communicators are set, and the whole battery '50 supplies sufficient current to actuate both the electro-magnetic devices of a communicator and the indicator when the attendant at the office is receiving a message.

Figure 1, Sheet 1, of the accompanying draw ings illustrates, generally, my electrical communicating system. Fig. 2, Sheet 2, is a view of one of the communicators with its front plate and pointer removed. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is a central section of the same. Fig. 4, Sheet 2, is a view of the indicator with the front plate and pointer removed; and Fig. 5, Sheet 2, is a section view of the same on the line :0 0:.

Referring to Fig. 1, a a a, 810., are the communicators, with a number of calls or messages printed or marked on the front plates, or marked on tablets attached thereto, according to the requirements of the case, some blank spaces being shown, to be filled up with special messages, as desired.

b represents an annunciatorof ordinary construction connected by the lines 0 0 0*, &c., to the several communicators a a a &c., and to independent contact'springs in the messageindicator (Z by the lines 9 e e, &c. A toothed plate in this indicator, adapted to make and break contact with all the springs joined to the lines 6 6 6 810., is connected through its operatinghandle d and spring by the wire f to the part 9 of the battery, and in this wire f is included the call-bell f. The front plate of the indicator d, to which the push-buttons d d are electrically connected, is joined to the end of the other part, 9, of the battery by the wire which includes the electro-mag- 8 5 netic device contained in the indicator, to be hereinafter explained. The other end of the part 9 of the battery is, by means of the main line h, connected to an electromagnetic device contained in each of the communicators 0 a a a", &c.

The operation of the system, omitting details of construction, to be hereinafter de" scribed, is as follows: All of the circuits are open when the communicators are in their 5 normal condition that is, with the indexes or pointers at zero or against the fixed stops, as indicated in all of them. The occupant of any room or apartment requiring to be served sets the pointer of his communicator opposite the message indicative of his wantas, for instance, occupant of room 2 sets his communicator at District Messenger. The pointer in being so set closes the circuit of this communicator with the part 9 of the battery, the current from which passes through the annunciator 1), thereby exposing the corresponding number 2, through the indicator (Z, and by the wire f, through the call-bell f, back to battery 9. This current, while sufficient to actuate the call-bell, does not set in action the electromagnetic device in the communicator, and said call-bell continues to ring as the pointer remains in the position in which it is set until the clerk or attendant at the office presses the handle d of the indicator down. By this action the toothed plate of the indicator is moved and all the individual circuits are broken in the indicator, and the call-bell circuit is also broken. The attendant now pushes in the button 0Z bearing the number indicated by the annunciator-viz., button 2- and this connects the spring attached to the wire 6 with the electromagnetic device in the indicator (Z, and completes the circuit by the wire g through the whole of the battery g and g, the current of which, flowing through the circuit, actuates the electromagnetic devices in the communicator and indicator, thereby releasing the pointer of the commu nicator, which is, by means of a spring-motor, caused to move back to zero, or to the fixed stop, and in doing so makes and breaks the circuit a certain number of times, according to the position of the selected message on the dial. Now, this intermittent action of the battery-current actuates the electromagnetic device in the indicator 01, each pulsation causing its pointer to move consecutively opposite the messages marked on its dial, which are arranged in a manner similar to the markings on the dials of the communicators a, a the, so for the case in consideration, District Messenger being the fourth message on the dials, four breaks in the circuit will occur as the pointer of the communicator a moves from District Messenger back to zero, and the pointer of theindicatordwillmoveforwardfourdivisions and stop opposite District Messenger, thus notifying the attendant that a district messenger is wanted by occupant of room No. 2. Upon the button No. 2 and the handle (Z of the indicator being released, the mechanism of the indicator assumes normal position, with its pointer brought back by means of a spring-- motor to the zero-point. Now, should any of the communicators in the other rooms be set while the attendant is receiving a message from one of the rooms, as just described, this setting of the other communicators will inno wise interfere with the operation of receiving said message, because all of the individual circuitlines are broken at the springs attached to the lines 6 e, &c., by the movement imparted to the toothed plate by its handle d of the indicator, and the only closed circuit is the one whose number is exposed at the annunciator and the corresponding button, (Z of the indicator manipulated by the attendant; but as soon as he releases the handle 01 and button (1 after the message is indicated by the indicator, then the call-bellf will again ring and the annunciator give notice of the room or rooms wishing service, the attendant 'then receiving the messages in order, as before described.

The improvements in electrical apparatus, by means of which my improved method of communication is carried out in an efficient and simple manner, are clearly shown on Sheet 2 of the drawings, Figs. 2 and 3 showing on on enlarged scale the mechanism of one of the communicators a, contained in a circular case, i, on the front plate, 2', of which the messages are marked or attached. The pointer '6 pro vided with a handle, is secured to the end of a shaft having bearings in the center of the case t and to this shaft is attached the coilspring '6 whose other end is fastened to the case 'i, in such a manner as to be wound up when the pointer i is moved forward, and by its resilience moves the pointer back to zero when released. On the shaft is secured the toothed contact-platej, having as many teeth as there are messages marked or provided for on the plate 2", and these teeth are so arranged that the spring j bears on one of them when the pointer is set opposite any one of the mes sages; but the spring j is opposite a space when the pointer is at zero, as shown at Fig. 2. This springj is fastened to an insulatingblock, j and to it is connected the line-wire c.

As a means for holding the pointer i in any of its set positions, the serrated disk 75, secured to the pointer-shaft, is engaged by the tooth on the end of the fiat spring is, which is secured to the end of the pivoted arm If, and this arm is locked so as to hold the spring k in position to act as the retaining spring-pawl of the disk 76, by the free end of the armature Z, being under the free end of the arm if when the armature is held back by its spring Z.

Projecting from the arm id is an extension, k provided with a tooth on its end, arranged at the side of the disk k, opposite the toothon the spring k, and with it constitutes a retarding-escapement device for the disk It when the armature Z is drawn away from the arm is by its electromagnet Z and the spring 1 is acting on the shaft to bring the pointer back to zero. Instead of this retarding-escapement device acting directly on the motor-spring shaft, its motion may be regulated by means of an independent speed-regulator acting thereon through a train of gear-wheels. One end, Z, of the coil of the electro-magnet Z is connect ed to the metallic case i, and the other end Z isconnected to the main line It, the current passing from the coil of the magnet through the case 75, the shaft, and the plate j to the through holes in the plate at, between the teeth line 0, through the spriugj, when it bears on i any of the teeth of the platej.

To provide for a simple call being made from any of the rooms,'by causing the callbell f to be actuated and the corresponding number of the annunciator exposed, as ordinarily, a spring-acting lever, j, is pivoted in the case i and closes the circuit between the lines h and c by contact with the plate j, attached to the back of the insulating-block j, which is in metallic connection with the line 0.

The inessageindicator d has a cylindrical case, made of suitable insulating material,and a metallic cover or front-plate, d, on which are marked or attached the set of messages corresponding to those on the communicators a a, &c. A metal disk, m, having insulatingspaces formed around its periphery corresponding in number to the number of rooms and divisions in the annunciator b, is supported on the insulated bearing m, secured to the under side of the metal cover 01 This disk m is provided with the handled. which projects through a slot formed in the side of the case, and to it is fastened the spring m", connected to the wire f, leading to the part 9 of the battery. Around the interior of the case are fastened the springs n n 11 &c., to which are respectively connected the ends of the linewires e e e", 810.; and the free ends of these springs are so formed as to bear on the teeth of the disk at when the handle d is in its upwardposition, and to be opposite the insulating-spaces between the teeth when the handle is pressed down, as shown at Fig. 4. All of the room-circuits are then broken, and any of them may be closed by pressing on a button, (P. These buttons are secured to springs 01, attached to the front plate or cover, (Z and are provided with pins d, which pass of the disk m on the springs n a, &c., when the buttons are depressed. The front plate, (P, is connected to one end, 0, of the coil of the electro-magnet o, the other end of the coil being joined to the battery 9 by the wire The armature p of this electro-magnet is pivoted at p to the case, and carries on its upper end the hooked pawl p", which catches into the teeth of the ratchet-wheel q, secured to the shaft q, having bearings in the center of the case and projecting beyond the cover or plate d, to which projecting end is secured the pointer r. A coil-spring, s, is attached to the shaft q and the case in such a manner as to be wound up when the pawl 19 of the armature p is caused to act on theratchet-wheelq by the attraction of other end of the armature toward the electro -n1agnet 0, when the current is flowing through its coils, which is when the spring j is in contact with the teeth of the plate j. -Each action of the pawl 1) on the ratchet q brings the pointer 1" forward successively opposite the messages marked on the plate d and the ratchet-wheel q is retained as set by the pawl 10" by the retention-pawl s.

To permit of all parts of the instrument assuming their normal positions when the handle d is released, a pin, t, projecting from the disk m, strikes the under side of the retentionpawl s, lifting it clear of the teeth of the ratchet q, and this pawl in its turn lifts the hooked pawl 1) clear of the teeth by coming in contact with a prolongation extending above the pawl 3, thereby entirely freeing the ratchet q and allowing the spring sto move the pointer 0* back to zero.

Having described the nature of my invention and the manner in which it may be practical'ly carried out, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electrical communicating system, in combination, an electric circuit comprising one main line from the central station or office to all of the substations or rooms, and individual lines from all of the sub-stations or rooms to the central station or ct'fice, communicators constructed to send any of a set of signals or messages includedin the individual lines at the sub-stations or rooms, a callinginstrument to show that a signal is ready for transmission, and a message receiving indicator connected to all of the individual lines and the main line, and mechanism to simultaneously break all theindividual lines, thereby cutting out all the communicators, and to complete the circuit of any of the communicators through itsindividual line and the main line and increasing strength of current on line, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electrical communicating system, in combination,an electrical circuit comprising one main line from the central station oroffice to all of the'substations or rooms, and individual lines from all of the sub-stations or rooms to the central station or office, communicators constructed to send any one of a set of signals or messages included in the individual lines at the substations or rooms, a message'rcceiving indicator connected to all of the individual lines and the main line, and provided with mechanism to simultaneously break all the individual lines, thereby cutting out all the communicators, and to complete the circuit of any of the communicators through its individual line and the main line, an annunciator in the individual lines, and a battery included in the main line, the current of which is increased to put the cummunicator and indicator in action, substantially as set forth.

3. In an electrical communicating system, in combination, an electrical circuit comprising one main line from the central station or office to all of the sub-stations or rooms, and individual lines from all of the sub-stations or rooms to the central station or office, communicators constructed to send any of aset of signals or messages included in the individual lines at the sub-stations or rooms, a messagereceiving indicator connected to all of the individual lines and the main line, and provided with mechanism to simultaneously break all the individual lines, thereby cutting out all the communicators, and to complete the circuit of any of the communicators through its individual line, an annunciatorin the individual lines, a battery included in the main line, and a call-bell in a line connecting the receiving-indicator and a part of the battery when all the individual lines are closed by the receiving-indicator,substantially as set forth.

4. In an electrical communicating system, in combination, aseries of communicatorsprovided each with apointer adapted to be set opposite any of a set of messages marked thereon, and so held by means of an electromagnetic device, a message-indicator provided with a pointer and having messages marked thereon similar to those on the communicators, and an electromagnetic device adapted to move the pointer opposite any of the messages, separate lines between the communicators and indicator, and including an annunciator,a battery and a main line connecting all the communicators thereto, a line from a part of the battery, and a call-bell therein connected to the indicator, another line connecting the end of the battery to the indicator, so as to include the whole of the battery-in the main line, and mechanism, substantially as described, in the indicator, whereby all the communicator-circuits and call-bell circuit are broken and any of the communicators put in circuit with the whole of the battery and indicator, as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an electrical communicating system,a message-receiving indicator comprising the following elements in combination: aseries of independent contact-springs, a plate in connection with aline-circuit constructed to make and break contact with the springs simultaneously, push-buttons in connection with another part of the linerircuit corresponding in number to the contact-springs, and arranged to close the respective circuits thereof, an electromagnetic device in circuit with the pushbuttons, and a pointer operated by the electromagnetic device, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In an electrical communicating system,a communicator having an escapement-wheel,a spring pawl or tooth carried bya pivoted arm and constituting, with a toothed extension of said arm,a retarding-escapement for the wheel, an electro-magnet and its pivoted armature,

said armature so constructed and arranged as to lock the pivoted arm when away from its magnet and hold the spring-pawl in the es- I capement-wheel, thereby causing it to act as a spring retention-pawl, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In combination, the communicators a a a &c., constructed to send any of a set of sig-' nals, the annunciatorb, for indicating the room calling, the line-wires 0 c a, &c., connecting the communicators to the annunciator, the indicator d,constructed to indicate the signal at which. any of the communicators may be set, the line-wires e e 6 850., connecting the an- ,nunciator to the indicator, the battery 9 g,the wire gflconnecting the end 9 of battery to the indicator when receiving a signal, the main line h, connecting the other end of the battery to the communicators, the wire f, connecting the part 5/ of the battery to the indicator, when a call is sent from any of the rooms, and the call-bellf, included in the circuit of wiref, substantially as set forth.

8. In combination, the toothed plate m, springs n n 12. &c., ratchet-wheel g. shaft q, spring 8, armature p, and pawlp, electro-magnet 0, retention-pawl s, and releasing-pin t on the plate m, substantially as set forth.

9. In combination, the springs n n 01?, &c., attached to the lines e e e", &c., the toothed plate at, the call-bell f, connected by linef thereto, the push-buttons d d carried by the front plated, the electro-magnet 0. connected to the front plate, dithe battery 9 g,main line, and the communicators connected to the main line on the lines 66' e 830., through the lines 0 0 0 &c., through the annunciator 1), substantially as set forth.

10. In combination, the serrated disk k, spring 2*, arm and toothed extension k If, spring-pawl k, and armature a, substantially as set forth.

11. In a message-indicator, in combination, a spring-acting pointer and ratchet-wheel, a feedingpawl actuated by an electromagnetic device,a retention-pawl for holding the pointer and ratchet-Wheel stationary, and a contact device for making and breaking a number of electric circuits, and provided with a pin projecting from its face for moving the feeding and retention pawls clear of the ratchet-wheel, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York, county and State of New York, this 13th day of August, A. D., 1885.

ALFRED G. HOLOOMBE.

In presence of- WM. G. STARRETT, ALFRED SHEDLooK. 

